Salford far better equipped for Manchester City replay, insists boss

Karl Robinson believes Salford will perform much stronger upon revisiting the site of their 8-0 thrashing by Manchester City from the previous season.

The team from the fourth division suffered a heavy loss against Pep Guardiola's squad during an FA Cup third round match at the Etihad Stadium.

They are set to travel the brief distance across northwest England once again for the fourth round this Saturday, and the Salford boss anticipates a significantly altered contest.

"The previous year was intensely moving," Robinson remarked. "It was not long since our owners were gripping metal railings at non league matches.

"Then to step onto the Etihad pitch before 60,000 fans with their team was extraordinary. That represents the ultimate path.

"This time around, we face other concerns. Our approach has shifted. We gained insights from the prior encounter. We will arrive considerably more ready."

Facing City in the FA Cup highlighted Salford's climb up the English football pyramid from non league beginnings, boosted by acquisition from ex Manchester United players of the famed Class of 92.

Salford now enters their seventh straight season in League Two, following a ownership shift last year when a fresh group led by Gary Neville and David Beckham acquired shares from their old Old Trafford colleagues.

Establishing a distinct character amid giants of English football poses a challenge for Salford, who plan to don their classic orange attire after the Class of 92 introduced a red and white design.

"Salford stands as a genuine football outfit, and that is our stance ahead of this match," Robinson stated.

"We donned the red kit last year, yet this time we opt for our away strip to mark a fresh chapter. We position ourselves apart from City and United. We possess our unique character.

"We have evolved into an entirely separate football entity now."

Despite Robinson's fresh enthusiasm, City demolished League One side Exeter 10-1 in the preceding FA Cup stage.

Nevertheless, he maintained: "Hope persists eternally, possibility lingers. Certainty eludes us at 100 percent. Odds may stand at 99.9 percent against, yet that sliver remains.

"All participants retire the evening prior pondering that notion of what if, and that thrill captivates."